Pessary



Patented Apr. 27, 1948 PESSARY Harry E. Opperman, Sr., and Harry E. Opperman, Jr., Los Angeles, Calif.

Application October 1, 1945, Serial No. 619,504

4 Claims. 1

Our invention relates to pessaries, or instruments designed to be introduced into, and worn in, the vagina to support the uterus, or womb, or to remedy a misplacement thereof.

In the devices as used to-day, so far as we know, when these instruments are put into place and Worn for a time, and it is desired to remove them, it is difiicult to accomplish for the reason that they cling to the uterus because of vacuum tendency and the parts are pulled therewith and cause considerable pain.

The object of our invention is to provide a pessary with a valve which can be released or opened to relieve the vacuum tendency and make it easy and comfortable to remove said instrument.

In order to fully explain our invention, we have illustrated it on the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an end view of a pessary embodying our invention;

Figure 2 is an end view from the opposite end; and

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through the body of a pessary, on the line 33 of Fig. 1, the handle being shown in side elevation.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the body is designated 4, and has a concaved end, designated 5, with an extension 4', internally threaded to receive a rod, threaded on its inner end, as at 6, said rod being provided with a handle 1 by means of which it can be manipulated.

In the center of the concaved end of the bodi is a recess 8, with a reduced bore 9, corresponding to the threaded interior of the extension d, as clearly shown. Said body is also provided with a plurality of vent ports, as I 0, one of which is shown in Fig. 3.

Seated in said recess, to fit snugly therein is a valve member ll, having a stem portion l2, extended into the bore of the extension 4' as shown, and in position to be engaged by the inner end of the rod 6, as said rod is screwed into said extension sufi'iciently to engage and move said valve stem and valve slightly out of said recess 8, as will be clear from the showing in Fig. 3.

When said valve is in its position, as shown in Fig. 3, the concaved surface is smooth, for said valve member is flush with the surface thereof. When in the closed position, as shown, said valve member also covers the inner ends of the vents I 0, as shown.

It will be understood, of course, that the handle and rod 6 are removed from the body or instrument when it is to be used, and is only used when it is desired to remove the pessary from the uterus.

By inserting the rod 6 into the vagina and into the extension 4', it can be screwed inwardly sufficiently to unseat the valve member I I, which permits air to enter through the ports l0, and

then the instrument is easily removed, for there can be no vacuum tendency between the concaved surface and the uterus, and it is easily removed. Any suitable means can be provided to prevent the valve l I from coming out and being detached from the body. We have shown the valve stem l2 provided with a short groove l3, with a set screw l4 screwed thereinto with its end in said groove, whereby said valve can be moved sufiiciently to open it, as will be understood.

We do not limit our invention to the details of seat, a threaded rod insertable into said exten sion and operable by turning for opening said valve to relieve vacuum tendency in removing said pessary.

3. A pessary consisting of a body and stemlike portion, said body havin a concaved end with a valve seat centrally thereof, a valve with stem seated in said valve seat with its stem extended into the stem-like portion of said body, said body having vent openings leading to said valve seat and closed by said valve, and an operating rod insertable through said stem-like portion of said body and operable for unseating said valve to relieve vacuum tendency when removing said instrument.

4. Apessary consisting of a body having a stemlike portion, said body having a concaved end with valve seat centrally thereof, a valve with stem seated in said valve seat with its stem extended into the stem-like portion of said body, said body having vents leading to said valve seat and closed by said valve in said valve seat, means for preventing said valve from detachment from said body, and an operating rod insertable through said stem-like portion of said body and operable for unseating said valve to relieve vacuum tendency when removing said instrument.

HARRY E. OPPERMAN, Sn. HARRY E. OPPERMAN, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date 

